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Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith was asked last week whether he’d consider a change at quarterback.

Jake Luton. a former Ventura College star, became the fourth Oregon State player in history to account for six touchdowns in the Beavers’ 48-31 win over UCLA at the Rose Bowl on Oct. 5.(Photo: MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ/AP)

Last Saturday, Jake Luton answered the question himself.

The former Ventura College star became the fourth Oregon State player in history to account for six touchdowns in the Beavers’ 48-31 win over UCLA at the Rose Bowl.

“We’ve put a lot of good games together, just not complete games,” Luton told Pac-12 Network after the game. “That’s something that we’ve harped on day in and day on in practice.

“It’s good to come out here against a quality team and put a full, complete game together.”

In what The Oregonian labeled “a career-defining game,” Luton completed 18 of 26 passes for 285 yards and five touchdowns and also ran for a game-clinching 19-yard touchdown with 1:42 to play, which capped a 14-play, 75-yard drive.

Oregon State quarterback Jake Luton, who starred at Ventura College, runs for a touchdown during the Beavers' win at UCLA on Saturday night.(Photo: MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ/AP)

“We talked about elevating his level of play at quarterback, and be more physical by running the ball,” Smith told the Oregonian. “He’s just grown and played lights out tonight.”

Luton also extended his streak of pass attempts without an interception to 166, now the nation’s longest. He has 14 touchdown passes and no interceptions this fall.

“I think the O-line protected him really well, and we were able to run the ball,” Smith said. “But he was playing with some great confidence.”

Luton was named the Pac-12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week and College Football Performance’s national Player of the Week.

Luton, who was awarded a sixth year of eligibility after injuries limited him to 12 games over the past two seasons, was also named as one of 15 nominees for the 2019 Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year award.

Next man up

Colorado redshirt freshman Casey Roddick made his first career start at right guard in last week’s 35-30 loss to Arizona.

The redshirt freshman from St. Bonaventure High played a career-high 65 snaps in place of Colby Pursell, who is having surgery to remove his gall bladder.

Casey Roddick(Photo: PHOTO COURTESY OF COLORADO ATHLETICS)

“I thought I did all right, but there were definitely some things I need to clean up,” Roddick told cubuffs.com. “I’ve spent the entire week working on those things and getting into the film room. … I'm definitely more prepared this week, there's no doubt about it.”

Next up for Roddick and the Buffaloes? Friday night’s trip to No. 13 Oregon.

"They're a very physical front," Roddick said. "They do a lot of great things up front and their front seven is phenomenal. We're going to have to have our best game.”

That Oregon front, of course, includes a familiar face in former Oaks Christian star Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Thibodeaux was named Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in last week’s win over Cal, which included two sacks and a forced fumble.

Used primarily in passing situations so far as a true freshman, Thibodeaux should see an increased workload due to a season-ending knee injury to teammate Gus Cumberlander

“With Gus going down, there’s obviously a sense of step up and they are looking upon me and DJ to step up and fill the spot,” Thibodeaux told the Oregonian. “I guess I will see more reps this week.”

Draft week

In preparation for the 2.0 version of the XFL, which arrives in February, the eight teams will begin filling their rosters this week with a two-day player draft.

There are at least three local names in the draft pool: Nelson Spruce, Richard Mullaney and Cole Tracy.

After playing in the AAF, Westlake High graduate Nelson Spruce could be a pick in the XFL draft.(Photo: PETER JONELEIT/AP)

The former Westlake High two-way star, Thousand Oaks receiver and Newbury Park placekicker, respectively, were among the initial names released by the league on social media this week.

Spruce, who made the Los Angeles Rams in 2016, finished second in receiving in the short-lived Alliance of American Football, catching 38 passes for 426 yards and two touchdowns for the San Diego Fleet earlier this year.

Mullaney, who starred at Oregon State and Alabama, was also a part of the AAF, although he battled injuries, which limited him to 20 catches for 213 yards with the Arizona Hotshots.

Tracy, who earned cult status after a series of clutch kicks last fall at LSU, has been working out at Cal Lutheran University while waiting patiently for the NFL to call.

Top plays

USC striker Tara McKeown was featured on “SportsCenter’s” Top Plays on Thursday night for her opening goal in the No. 4-ranked Trojans’ 2-1 win over visiting Utah.

The former Newbury Park High star turned in the Utes’ penalty area by jinking the ball over the head of a defender before volleying home.